Outlet box hanger



April 18, 1950 COLLINS I 2,504,180

OUTLET BOX HANGER Filed Jan. 15, 1947 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Fig. 3.

Fig. 8.

- Roy L. Collins B 2mm Inventor Patented Apr. 18, 1950 UNITED S TAT ES PATENT OFFICE OUTLET BOX HANGER RoyL. Collins, Redwood, N. Y.

Application January 13, 1947, Serial No. 721,764

3 Claims. 1

This invention relates to an improved device for securing electrical outlet boxes to rafters, joists; and the like.

An' object of this invention is to provide a substantially universal adjustment in clamping devices.

Another object of this invention is to provide a time and labor conserving device for use in electrical installation work.

A further object of this invention is to provide a novel and improved securing means for use in various arts.

A further object of this invention is to provide a device which will, by the inherent function of its structure, carry out all the above-mentioned objects and yet be simple, inexpensive and lend itself well to manufacture.

These objects and others will become readily apparent to one skilled in the art from the following detailed description of the appended showing of a preferred embodiment of the inventive concept, wherein:

Figure 1 is a side elevation, partly in section, of the invention;

Figure 2 is a plan view of this preferred form of the invention;

Figure 3 is a detail of the specific wall or joist fastening means, a view upon line 3-3 on Figure 1, looking in the direction of the arrows;

Figure 4 is a transverse sectional view of Figure 3, taken on the line 4--4 of Figure 3;

Figure 5 is a sectional view of an electrical box clamp taken on line 5-5 of Figure 1;

Figure 6 is a view of an alternate construction of the clamp shown in Figure 5;

Figure 7 is a top view of the clamp shown in Figure 6; and

Figure 8 is a bottom view of the same clamp shown in Figure 6.

Referring now more specifically to the figures hereinabove mentioned, wherein like reference characters designate similar parts throughout the views of the invention, the numeral H) designates the invention in a general way.

Referring now to Figures 1 and 2 as most descriptive, a plate I2, preferably of a suitable metal, is provided of generally rectangular shape having incurved edges I4 frictionally embracing a second or hinge plate I6 which has a bight I8 extending through the width thereof for receiving a substantially triangular bracket or hanger 20 in frictional engagement between said plates. It is noted that the plates l2 and I6 cooperate to form an anchor clamp 2|.

Referring to the clamping means specifically, a

1 this is done to show an alternate use (not con-- struction) of the said screws, as they may be used in unslotted apertures through the said plates, as shown best in Figure 4-. To assist in securing the said plates [2 and lfiin fixed relation, the former is provided with a plurality of tongues 26 adapted to be curved through the slots 23 provided in the appropriate. places in the edges of plate I6.

Provided in the said bight l8 and substantially midway thereof is an aperture 30 for receiving the protruding ends 32 of the triangular bracket 20'.

Taking, now, the two preferred embodiments of an electrical outlet box 3| holding means a stud 3:1 with a slot 36 extending axially thereof is adapted to be received by the said bracket 20 in the said slot 36. A first nut 38 is adapted to be screwed tightly against the said bracket, while a second and thirdnut 40 and 42 are adapted to be tightened against the said box and bracket and the box, respectively. It is obvious from Figures 1 and 5 that a vertical adjustment of the said outlet box may be effected by proper manipulation of the above mentioned nuts. It is also apparent that a horizontal adjustment of the box may be effected by sliding the stud axially of and on the bracket.

From the construction described hereinbefore, another adjustment of the electrical box may be effected by swinging the whole bracket arcuately about the bight-embraced portion thereof as an axis. With these adjustments readily available, all that is necessary to hang an outlet box in the exact desired position is to fasten the clamping plates to a stud in a wall or, as shown, one of the rafters M, simply approximating the desired location and then moving the various adjustable components to the proper locations. It is here noted that this device lends itself admirably to manufacture, since the Whole device, including the electrical outlet box, may be prefabricated at a factory, thus saving considerable skilled labor time required in the installation of conventional apparatus.

Referring, now, to an alternate clamp to be used in securing the box 3! to bracket 20, a single member 4%, generally U-shaped, is provided having a plurality of slots 68 in the bottom thereof adapted to receive screws 59 or similar clamping means for fixedly securing an outlet box thereto. It is here noted that a conventional box is normally supplied with apertures for receiving the above mentioned screws as well as a single, larger aperture centrally thereof which may receive the stud 34 in the hereinbefore mentioned construction. At the top of member 45 is a plurality of apertures adapted to receive securing means 52, shown as screws 52. The manner of securing the member to the bracket 29 is now quite obvious. It is simply placed therearound in the desired location and the screws tightened in place.

Since only preferred embodiments of the inventive concept have been shown, it is obvious that various additions, omissions, and alterations could be made without departing from the spirit of the invention; therefore, this invention is intended to be limited only by the scope of the appended claims.

Having thus described the instant invention, what is claimed is as follows:

1. In an electrical box hanger, an anchor means comprising a back plate and a hinge plate secured thereto, an aperture in said hinge plate, a wire bracket having its ends projecting through said aperture hingedly mounted between said hinge plate and said back plate, a sleeve having apertures secured to said bracket, flanges integral with said sleeve having screws extending therethrough for clamping said sleeve to said bracket, the apertures in said sleeve having screws therein for attaching an outlet box to said sleeve said anchor means having slots therein for receiving securing means therein selectively and adjustably.

2. In an electrical box hanger, anchoring means comprising a back plate having substantially parallel flanges at opposed marginal edges thereof, a hinge plate attached to said back plate, said hinge plate having marginal edges received under said flanges, a bight in said hinge plate and an aperture in said bight, a wire bracket having its ends projecting through said aperture hingedly mounted in said bight, a sleeve member having integral flanges received on said bracket, screws extending through said flanges for clamping the sleeve member firmly to said bracket, said sleeve member having slots therein for receiving anchoring means to maintain an outlet box thereon.

3. An electrical box hanger comprising anchoring means including a back plate having marginal flanges formed along opposed edges thereof, a hinge plate having opposed marginal edges received under said flanges, a bight in said hinge plate, a bracket hingedly mounted between said bight and said back plate, a split sleeve member on said bracket, flanges integral with said sleeve member having securing means extending therethrough, said split sleeve member having slots therein opposite said flanges, and securing means in said slots for adjustably retaining an outlet box thereon.

ROY L. COLLINS.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 740,044 Richards Sept. 29, 1903 1,675,921 Buchanan July 3, 1928 1,707,921 Olson Apr. 2, 1929 2,271,504 Kees et a1. Jan. 27, 1942 2,299,675 Austin Oct. 20, 1942 

